September 18, 2025

Welcome to the IH Arts Conservatory Weekly Newsletter!

I had the joy of sitting down with two of our incredible fifth grade musicians, Ellen Claus and Audrey Tenant, who joined me in The Director's Chair this week and are just beginning their journey on the violin. They shared what inspired them to choose their instrument, the skills they’ve been developing so far, and—most importantly—the excitement they feel each time they play.

One of the highlights of their experience has been Orchestra Buddies, a unique program where our high school musicians partner with fifth graders to provide extra instruction and encouragement. For Ellen and Audrey, it’s meant more time to grow in confidence, ask questions, and discover what they love most about making music.

I can’t wait for you to hear their voices and see firsthand the joy of learning that comes with both practice and mentorship. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it’s a wonderful reminder of how music connects us across grade levels and experiences.

Click here to view this week's video!

IHHS

• Friday, September 26: 11:00 a.m. HS Special Person's Day Performances
• Saturday, September 27: BMB Competition at Batesville HS, Indiana
• Wednesday, October 1: 10:05 a.m. Opening student meeting for 1st Row
• Saturday, October 4: BMB Competition at Loveland HS
• Saturday, October 11: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. HS Fall Play, Clue, cue-to-cue
• Sunday, October 12-Wednesday, October 15: HS Fall Play, Clue, tech week
• Thursday, October 16-Saturday, October 18: 7:00 p.m. HS Fall Play, Clue: High School Edition, performances
• Saturday, October 18: BMB Competition at Dixie Heights HS
• Monday, October 20: HS Fall Choral Concert Dress Rehearsal
• Tuesday, October 21: 7:00 p.m. MS & HS Fall Choral Concert
• Saturday, October 25: BMB Competition at Miamisburg HS
• Tuesday, October 28: 7:00 p.m. MS & HS Fall Band Concert
• Wednesday, October 29: 7:00 p.m. MS & HS Orchestra Spooktacular Concert

IHMS

• Tuesday, October 21: 7:00 p.m. MS & HS Fall Choral Concert
• Tuesday, October 28: 7:00 p.m. MS & HS Fall Band Concert
• Wednesday, October 29: 7:00 p.m. MS & HS Orchestra Spooktacular Concert

Congratulations to members of our IHES, IHMS, and IHHS Orchestra programs on their selections to various local, regional, and state orchestral ensembles!

Cincinnati Junior Strings:

Jizhong Chen, cello

Butler Philharmonic Youth Orchestra:

Ella Bay, cello

Northern Cincinnati Youth Orchestra

Lily Groskopf, violin

Jordan Howe, violin

Northern Kentucky University Youth Orchestra

Isaac Kim, violin

Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Philharmonic:

Aaron Scott, principal bass

Grace Yu, principal viola

Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert:

Eric Liu, violin

Iris Xu, violin

Clairette Yang, violin

Zoe Lee, cello

Jonathan McGrath, principal bass

Darcy McMahon, bass

Ohio Southwest Region Orchestra

Darcy McMahon, bass

Aaron Scott, bass

OMEA All-State Orchestra

Aaron Scott, bass

Grace Yu, viola

Congratulations to our Braves Marching Band, who took home 2nd place and Best Percussion at their first competition at Colerain High School on Saturday, September 13!

Indian Hill Primary School

Indian Hill Elementary School

Indian Hill Middle School

Indian Hill High School

A bold new tradition that honors our past while inspiring our future:

the inaugural Indian Hill Arts Hall of Fame.

This biennial celebration will debut on January 24, 2026, in conjunction with the beloved Cabaret event

—uniting two of our district’s most dazzling celebrations of creativity and performance under

one unforgettable evening.

Three Distinct Honors Will Be Presented:

• The Rising Star Award
• Celebrates an Indian Hill graduate of the past 10 years who has demonstrated exceptional promise in the early stages of a career in the arts.

• The Distinguished Art Alumni Award
• Recognizes an alumnus who graduated within the past 20 years and has established a significant presence in the world of the arts through leadership, innovation, or achievement.

• The Legacy Art Award
• Honors an alumnus, educator, or community member whose lifetime contributions have significantly enriched the arts and inspired others.

Nominations are now open through October 1, 2025, and can be submitted through our digital nomination form, also available on the Indian Hill Arts Conservatory website. Join us as we honor the artists who make Indian Hill—and the world—a more beautiful, meaningful place.

CAPA is thrilled to be offering our enrichment programs at IHPS and IHES. Our Fall offerings include:

Primary School

Storyteller on Stage (TUESDAY BEFORE SCHOOL): This class will provide foundational understanding of the world of theatre including acting skills, character development, scene ideas and more!

Acting Adventures in Yoga (THURSDAY BEFORE SCHOOL): this class is an engaging and interactive yoga course for grades K-2 that will take young actors on a journey of themed acting adventures through yoga, mindfulness and storytelling.

Elementary School:

The Young Writer's Room (MONDAYS AFTER SCHOOL): The CAPA Playwriting course will have students experiment with learning how to write their own sketches, scenes, and potentially a ten-minute play! A great class for anyone interested in learning the skills behind making a story OR acting in one.

Ridiculous Joy Improv (TUESDAYS AFTER SCHOOL): Beginning in October this class is all about making it up! It is fun AND funny! Along the way, you will gain confidence, you will discover that you are a creative and interesting human, and we promise that you will laugh A LOT!!

Click here for more information and registration: Indian Hill

Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative's 2025-2026 New Voices Season includes staged readings of plays written by local CPI artists. Each performance includes a talkback session to gain audience feedback that will help the playwrights improve their work. 

All readings are performed in the Aronoff Center's Fifth Third Bank Theater.

Purchase your season tickets and get all six events for just $55!

Click here for more information.

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